Destin Fishing - Destin Fishing Forum

The best chance for bent rods this weekend on the flats will be trout, redfish, Spanish mackerel, and flounder. Early morning should still be your best bet for flats fun, but the cool weather should keep the bite going just a bit longer.

Trout and redfish are being found in good numbers on productive flats. Topwaters, jerkbaits and soft plastics are all producing–the key is moving and trying new areas until you find the fish. Once found, they should be pretty easy to stay on. The redfish seem to be spending a lot of time in sandy areas between grass flats. For redfish, check the following areas: In Pensacola, try the area between Chicken Bone Beach and the Ranger station. In Destin, go east of the Coast Guard Station and west of the end of the tree line near the army area on 98. In Panama City, almost all of East Bay is hot. In Cape San Blas, look for schools of reds just inside the point.

Spanish mackerel are being found in great numbers, the best bite is in the morning, but they will bend rods all day. Spanish macks are moving a lot with the tide changes, so be prepared to make a few mile run to stay on the hot bite. The beaches and passes are producing the best but these fish are beginning to move to the bays.

With the cooler weather also comes flounder. These fish are for the most part holding in 10 to20 feet near passes and rock ledges in the bays. Live mud minnows with a small weight and 4/0 hook will produce the best fish. When fishing for flounder this weekend be prepared to spend time locating these fish. The best time for searching is late afternoon with a moving tide.
Florida Sportsman